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Bulls Begin Spring Practice
3/12/2025 4:36:00 PM | Football
BUFFALO, NY – A little over two months after winning the Bahamas Bowl, the University at Buffalo football team was back on the field Wednesday participating in their first of 15 spring practices.
"It felt like we picked up right where we left off here today which is what you hope for going into year two," head coach Pete Lembo said after Wednesday's practice at the Murchie Family Fieldhouse. "We do have a lot of guys back. We have a limited number of new players and those guys are acclimating themselves really well."
Lembo has the team focused on the basics.
"It's all about fundamentals at the end of the day," Lembo said. "People like to focus on scheme but to me, it's about doing less and doing what you do really well. There is a huge emphasis on fundamentals throughout the spring."
With the departure of last year's starter C.J. Ogbonna, one of the big questions heading into the 2025 campaign is who will start at quarterback?
The six quarterbacks on the roster include four returners and two newcomers. The returners include Jack Shields and Gunnar Gray who each saw limited action a season ago as well as Mason Cumbie and Anthony Policare. The two newcomers are transfer Ta'Quan Roberson and freshman Jason Wright.
Lembo is excited about the quarterback group.
"We have a great group of guys," Lembo said. "The best thing about the quarterback race last year was how these guys supported each other. Yes, there was really good competition, but it was in a really positive way and you're seeing that again this year. I think that's a big part of our culture. We want to compete, we want to be passionate, but we want to be great teammates as well."
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bulls know they have a tall task in replacing Consensus All-American linebacker Shaun Dolac. Lembo is excited to see Red Murdock take another step forward in his development. A first-team All-MAC selection in 2024, Murdock ranked second in the nation to only Dolac in tackles with 156 and added 16.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and an FBS-best seven forced fumbles.
"Red has a great opportunity," Lembo said. "He had a super season last year but Shaun [Dolac] really was that vocal leader for us. Red has that in him and that's part of what we've been challenging him to become here this offseason. Red is a wonderful human being. He's got a huge heart. He's poured his heart and soul into this university, not just the football program, and now it's really cool to see him in this position."
The Bulls will continue practicing for the next month, culminated with the annual spring game on April 19 at UB Stadium.
"It felt like we picked up right where we left off here today which is what you hope for going into year two," head coach Pete Lembo said after Wednesday's practice at the Murchie Family Fieldhouse. "We do have a lot of guys back. We have a limited number of new players and those guys are acclimating themselves really well."
Lembo has the team focused on the basics.
"It's all about fundamentals at the end of the day," Lembo said. "People like to focus on scheme but to me, it's about doing less and doing what you do really well. There is a huge emphasis on fundamentals throughout the spring."
With the departure of last year's starter C.J. Ogbonna, one of the big questions heading into the 2025 campaign is who will start at quarterback?
The six quarterbacks on the roster include four returners and two newcomers. The returners include Jack Shields and Gunnar Gray who each saw limited action a season ago as well as Mason Cumbie and Anthony Policare. The two newcomers are transfer Ta'Quan Roberson and freshman Jason Wright.
Lembo is excited about the quarterback group.
"We have a great group of guys," Lembo said. "The best thing about the quarterback race last year was how these guys supported each other. Yes, there was really good competition, but it was in a really positive way and you're seeing that again this year. I think that's a big part of our culture. We want to compete, we want to be passionate, but we want to be great teammates as well."
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bulls know they have a tall task in replacing Consensus All-American linebacker Shaun Dolac. Lembo is excited to see Red Murdock take another step forward in his development. A first-team All-MAC selection in 2024, Murdock ranked second in the nation to only Dolac in tackles with 156 and added 16.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and an FBS-best seven forced fumbles.
"Red has a great opportunity," Lembo said. "He had a super season last year but Shaun [Dolac] really was that vocal leader for us. Red has that in him and that's part of what we've been challenging him to become here this offseason. Red is a wonderful human being. He's got a huge heart. He's poured his heart and soul into this university, not just the football program, and now it's really cool to see him in this position."
The Bulls will continue practicing for the next month, culminated with the annual spring game on April 19 at UB Stadium.
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